“The current regulation already allows cats and other animals deemed to be a threat to humans, livestock or wildlife on NPS land to be ‘destroyed,’” Utah-based Best Friends said. “The proposed regulation (RIN #1024-AE06) goes further, essentially allowing cats to be killed merely for being present on NPS land. Rather than promoting and expanding indiscriminate killing opportunities, the NPS should be working with local municipalities to ensure positive outcomes (e.g., reunite pets with their people, relocate community cats) for cats found on NPS lands.”

Best Friends spokeswoman Barbara Williamson explained that while her organization generally opposes relocating feral cats and prefers that they stay in their outdoor environment, it also believes that relocation would be “a better alternative to lethal roundups.”

The alert asks cat lovers to weigh in by urging the Park Service to remove the feline-related provision. The deadline for public input on the proposed regulation is June 17.

In a June 13 blog, Best Friends CEO Gregory Castle expressed concern that the proposed regulation, if adopted, could set a dangerous precedent for other government agencies.

"This kind of policy change is likely to have negative consequences for other federal government departments and at the state/local level too, providing rationale for similarly misguided policies," Castle wrote .

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Marc Selinger is a freelance writer in the Washington, D.C., area. In his spare time, he is president/founder of Rock Creek Cats, a volunteer nonprofit that helps stray and feral cats. Follow his cat writings on Facebook (dccatwriter) and Twitter (@dccatwriter). He can be reached at marc2255@yahoo.com.